The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1887-07-05
A FATAL COLLISION,
lin Which Engineer Samuel
Smith Meets Death.
He Had a Strange Premonition OF
This End of All.

A collision at near midnight Fri
day, between the fast mail bound
east and a freight train bound west
occurred near Lamonte, on the Mis-
souri, Pacific. One life was lost, sew
eral of the train crews injured, and a
number of freight cars great damaged.
The opposing engines were also badly
wrecked, as a matter of course.
The men manning the fast mail
were Conductor Marsh, Engineer
Smith and Fireman Doran. Those on
the freight were Conductor Mount,
Engineer Williams and Fireman Mill
er.
The collision occurred near the
water tank at Lamonte, and was oc-
casioned by the fast mail running in
to the third section of freight train
80, through misapprehension of
orders. it is said by some, while others
say that the delay in the freight
making the siding at Lamonte in time
to let the fast mail by, was the cause.
When the collision occurred, most
of the train men saved themselves by
jumping. Engineer Sam Smith vas
not so fortunate. He was caught be.
meath the monster he had been guild
ing, and although he retained con.
ciousness for nearly an hour, finally
passed away. He was fearfully man
gled, when found by his companions.
His fireman was but slightly injured,
having jumped in time. The engineer
of the freight was hurt about the
breast, but not seriously. The fireman
of the freight was scalded but not
dangerously.
When the collision was discovered,
fourth section of 80 was ordered from
Dresden, where it had been waiting
for the fast mail to pass it. The body
of the engineer was placed in the ca
boose, and his injured companions
also came down OH it, and the train
returned to Sedalia about2 o'clock,
Smiths body was taken to McLaugh-
Inns undertaking establishment. The
wrecking train was sent out immed-
lately, and by s o'clock yesterday
morning the track was clear of the
wreck, and all trains were resuming
their journeys en- time.
Engineer Smith was about 40 years
of age and leaves a wife and
child, at Fourth and Brown streets,
East Sedalia. He was an able and
trusted employe of the railroad COM
pany, and was highly esteemed by
all, who knew him. The trip he was
making on the fast mail was his sec
ond one lately, although he had pre-
viously made the run. This time he
was acting as substitute for Engineer
Melville, temporarily lying off.
Smith, it may be stated as Curl
Gus fact, some two weeks ago, said to
intimate friends that he did not think
he would live two weeks. He said
he had arrived at the age when the
male members of his family were taken
off, either by death or accident. His
premonition was sadly enough brought
to pass in a most horrible manner.
1t is also said that Friday he told a
friend he would make Lis last trip
that day, chiefly on account of his
wife's poor health. He didn't know
what business he would embark in.
The change was made all too quickly.
Mr.. Smith was a member of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers,
and this order met last night at its
hall to make arrangements for the
He was also an Odd Fellow.
NOTES.
1t was not deemed necessary by
Coroner Overstreet to hold an in
quest.
-Messrs, PhelaD and Leech set up
with the corpse of their brother last
night.
"A special train comes down this
to the funeral from Kansas
City.
This was the first accident that |
the dead engineer had in his chosen
profession.
When Smith was found he was
not under the engine, but some little
distance from it.
The body was removed to the
ate residence of the deceased about
Ii o'clock yesterday morning.
Engineer Smiths heirs obtain
$1,000 from the brotherhood and
- 500 from the Accident Insurance
Members of the brotherhood
rom Pleasant Hill, Moberly, Holden,
Kansas City and Hannibal, will be